THE WAR CLOUD IN THE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 24 October 1903, Page 5

THE WAR CLOUD IN THE

PAR EAST.

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS.

WAR RISKS AT LLOYD'S. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— St. Petersburg, October 22. Preliminary arrangements have been completed for the expeditious summoning of a portion of the two years' Russian infantry reserves. London, October 22.

Many insurances are being effected at Lloyd's against risk of seizure, capture or detention on the voyage to Japanese and Russian ports in the Far East. Much speculative shipment of coal to the Far East is also going on. Lloyd's officials do not, however, believe in the imminence of war. (Received October 23, 10.24 p.m.) . ... Pekik, October' 23. While the English,) Russian and American gunboats at Niuchwang were preparing their winter quar- ■ ters, telegrams from Tokio stopped the Japanese gunboats making similar preparations. The American-Chinese treaty provides for residential concessions to be granted to foreigners at Mukden and Autung, but Prince Alexiefi, the Russian Viceroy, insists that they are granted only to Russians. St. Petersburg, October 23. " The Svet, a local journal, is alarmed for Russia's position in the Far East, owing to Britain and the United States backing Japan. Though the Russian fleet is superior to Japan's, the preparations for concentration of the Australian, Indian and China squadrons constitute a threat to Russia, besides disturbing j the balance of power in the Far East. Even if Russia defeated Japan these squadrons would all surround the Russian fleet, reducing it to inaction or compelling it to accept battle. The Russian fleet would thus be at a disadvantage before the French fleet was available, even if Britain allowed it to pass the Suez Canal.